Public consultation launched for new technical college for Norfolk

Sponsors behind a new Norfolk college want students, parents, local people, and employers to tell them what they think of the plans.

Norfolk University Technical College is due to open in Norwich in September 2014 and will cater for 600 14 to 19-year-olds focusing on the engineering, energy, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Today, an official consultation into the proposals – which have already been given the go ahead by ministers – was launched at The Forum in Norwich with a paper aeroplane competition for youngsters on their half term break.

The consultation will ask members of the public to share their views on plans for the school, with specific questions on the college’s link-up with employers, funding and the curriculum.

As part of the consultation launch, the sponsors have released more details about the college including its admissions policy, travel plan – which includes a “no drop-off policy” – and new sketches of what the Old Hall Road college at could look like.

In its “educational vision” sponsors say: “Together we are determined to deliver the highest quality learning experiences that are both engaging and purposeful. Our curriculum model will be endorsed by employers and bring together both academic and practical disciplines – recognising the importance of both in the pursuit of technical and professional excellence.”

Dick Palmer, chief executive of the UTC’s lead sponsor the Transforming Education in Norfolk (Ten) federation, said today’s event at the Forum aimed to raise awareness of the UTC. He added: “These are the young people who will come through in the next two, three, five, 10 years’ time – we don’t care how young they are, the UTC is here to stay.

“This is about getting to the parents and getting them to know this is a choice for them.”

Among the UTC’s supporters at today’s launch was Al Coutts, lead pilot for Old Buckenham’s Wildcat Aerobatics. He said: “We need engineers for the future and there aren’t enough coming into aviation.”

To find out more about the Norfolk UTC and take part in the consultation, go to www.norfolkutc.com